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VADA LiveAuthor: Virginia Automobile Dealers Association
VADA LIVE is the official podcast powered by the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, offering rich insights and information about the automotive industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Join VADA staff, members, and partners for behind-the-scenes accounts of our efforts in the legislature, regulatory, and industry worlds, and stay equipped with everything you need to know to be a successful and competitive automotive dealer in Virginia. Language: en Genres: Automotive, Business, Leisure, Non-Profit Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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VADA Live S2:E6 | Digital Strategy & Trust: Winning the Online Car Buyer
Episode 6
Wednesday, 18 March, 2026
How do you build trust with a consumer before they ever set foot in your showroom? In this episode of VADA Live, host Dan Carrigan sits down with Tim Pohanka, Executive Vice President of Pohanka Automotive Group, and Chris Einterz, Director of Online Retailing at Dealer eProcess. Together, they break down the current state of digital automotive retailing, where strategies fall short, and how to effectively integrate AI without losing the human touch. In this episode, we cover: The Omnichannel Experience: Why maintaining consistent messaging across your website, digital tools, and marketing campaigns is the #1 issue dealers face today. Trust Over Price: According to a Capital One study, consumer trust is nearly three times more of an indicator of a purchase than price alone. Respecting Consumer Time: How bringing the negotiation and disclosure process online saves time in the showroom, allowing top salespeople to push 40+ deliveries a month. AI Search Optimization: Why dealerships need to prioritize how AI search agents (like LLMs and smartphone assistants) are parsing their websites for zero-click searches. Watch the full episode to see why transparency is the ultimate conversion tool. About VADA: The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) represents franchised new car and truck dealers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Formed by dealers in 1943, VADA advocates for a regulatory environment that supports fair competition and enhances consumer safety. The association represents more than just the dealer, supporting every person across every team in the dealership operation. About Dealer eProcess: Dealer eProcess is a digital retailing and website provider that partners with dealerships to enhance their online presence and digital strategy. They focus on helping dealers provide an omnichannel, seamless experience for online shoppers by prioritizing transparency, consistency, and information accuracy across all platforms. About the Guests: Chris Einterz: Chris is the Director of Online Retailing at Dealer eProcess. He brings practical, real-world dealership experience to his role, having previously spent about eight years working in the automotive industry as a sales and F&I manager. Tim Pohanka: Tim serves as the Executive Vice President of the Pohanka Automotive Group. In addition to his leadership role, Tim is also one of the creators and stars of "Tour Detour," a dealer-led road trip video series that tests the real-world limits of the vehicles dealers sell every day.
